How to Craft and Publish Your Memoir
August 18, 2014
Writing instructor Peterson (Secret Histories) and literary agent Freymann combine their talents in this helpful but sometimes awkward guide to memoir-writing. They offer plenty of insights gleaned from their own experiences, such as “character evolution is the narrative arc and plot of any memoir” and “for many writers, their work is also a spiritual practice.” To these ideas, they add the requisite writing prompts, exercises, and publishing tips. Of particular note are the lessons which Peterson and Freymann draw from the careers of successful memoirists like Cheryl Strayed and Dawn Raffel. The section on publishing is strong, with concrete tips from editors and reviewers. The chapters on writing, however, have some weaknesses: Peterson and Freymann seem oddly fixated on the theme of food and its importance as a subject in memoirs, going so far as to twice state, cryptically, “The more unusual or ordinary your story, the more vital the subject of food is.” The pair also undercut their credibility somewhat with prose stumbles that include clunky phrasing, mixed metaphors, and incomplete sentences. Despite these lapses, there is still much here that will be eye-opening for the aspiring memoirist. Agent: Sarah Jane Freymann, Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency.
October 1, 2014
It's one thing to write one's innermost thoughts for the sheer private pleasure of it. It's quite another to adapt those personal musings for public consumption. Crafting a memoir from the bits and pieces of one's life is a brave and daunting challenge and, like every worthy endeavor, one best accomplished with a trusted guide. Or two. Accomplished writer Peterson (I Want to Be Left Behind, 2010) and literary agent Freymann share their personal experiences with the genre and offer valuable and practical tips about writing, revising, agents, editors, and publishers that can only come from those with years of insider access. From framing a narrative arc to finding one's own voice, their advice is spot-on: affirmative, reassuring, inclusive, and accessible. Whether describing a harrowing journey of self-revelation or airing the dirty laundry that has piled up in the corners of dysfunctional family life, the memoirist's goal is to tell that story so as to enlighten both writer and reader. With Peterson and Freymann as coaches, it is a mission that most definitely can be accomplished.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)
February 1, 2016
Peterson (I Want To Be Left Behind) and Freymann (Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency) bring decades of experience to bear on the subject of writing and publishing a memoir. Affable, confident, and candid, the authors suggest that the process, when done right, can be a journey of personal growth and illustrate their points with poignant examples and metaphors. (LJ 9/1/14)
Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 1, 2014
Peterson (I Want To Be Left Behind) and Freymann (founder, Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency) bring decades of experience to bear on the subject of writing and publishing a memoir. Affable, confident, and candid, the authors teach that the process, when done right, can be a journey of personal growth, illustrating their points with poignant examples and metaphors. Part 1, "Crafting Your Memoir," introduces the genre and covers an array of topics: death, abuse, family secrets, food, travel, spirituality, animals, and more. The advice on what does and doesn't work with each topic is razor sharp and is the overall strength of the book. Battle-tested tips, exercises, and prompts close most chapters, providing writers an opportunity to practice and apply their craft. The second half, "Getting Serious About Publishing," offers insightful perspectives on blogging, agents, editors, handling rejection, indie publishing, and more. Discussions of factuality, point of view, drafting, and scenes are excellent but could be expanded. VERDICT This is a reassuring introduction to how writers should approach their first memoir and an honest discussion of what it will take to publish one.--Paul Stenis, Pepperdine Univ. Lib., Malibu, CA
Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.